A California-based Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup said Thursday that it plans to produce two kinds of all-electric SUVs that will use its own advanced electric motors and battery technology.
SF Motors, a Silicon Valley-based subsidiary of Chongqing Sokon Industry Group that produces electric vehicles and components, said in a statement that it has made major technological advances and launched a new line of intelligent electric vehicles.
It said the two SUV models, SF5 and SF7, will be equipped with "a flexible motor system" allowing vehicle design using one, two, three, or four motor configurations.
The powerful four-motor system will deliver over 1,000 horse power (HP), meaning vehicles can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles (about 96 km) per hour in less than three seconds, said the company.
The remarkable results were made possible by the company's motors, motor controllers, and gearboxes, with a peak power ranging from 100kw to 400kw.
SF Motors said that the SF5 will come to market first, with its pre-orders made available by the end of 2018 and production taking place in 2019.
The EV firm said it is experimenting with next-generation battery modules that will integrate directly into the vehicle chassis, and this design will also support rapid manufacturing using laser welding to connect the battery cells.
"Our mission is to transform human mobility -- and perhaps our planet-- through intelligent EVs," said John Zhang, founder and CEO of SF Motors.
The Chinese auto firm purchased AM General's South Bend, Indiana assembly plant, where they used to produce commercial Hummer last year.
It also bought the electric power train startup founded by Martin Eberhard, co-founder of Tesla, the leading U.S. EV manufacturer.
